/ 


1 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/nationalreconstrOOhome 


CHRISTIAN  AMERICA 

Christ  for  America  America  for  Christ 


BULLETIN  No.  2 
Issued  by  the  Home  Missions  Council 


National  Reconstruction : 

Our  Home  Task 

Suggestions  for  Practical  Service 
in  the  Homeland 

FOR  THE  USE  OF  PASTORS 


March,  1919 


Christian  America,  The  Lasting  Liberty  Bond 


HOME  MISSIONS  COUNCIL 
156  Fifth  Avenue 
New  York  City 


CONTENTS 


I.  Introduction 

To  Pastors 3 

What  Is  Reconstruction? 4 

II.  The  Practical  Tasks 

Returning  Soldiers  and  Sailors 5 

Reconstruction  in  Industrial  Centers  ...  7 

The  Problems  of  Rural  Morale 8 

Isolated  Men  in  Lumber  Camps  and  Mines  . . 9 

For  Spanish-Speaking  People 10 

The  Problems  of  the  Negro 11 

New  Aspects  of  Race  Situation  ....  12 

The  Problems  of  Americanization 14 

The  National  Health 15 

The  National  Mind 17 

The  League  of  Nations 18 

III.  Heartening  Assurances 

Great  Gains  On  Which  to  Rely 19 

The  Obligation  On  Everyone 20 

A Method  of  Speech  and  Persuasion  ....  21 

Your  Home  Mission  Board 22 

Where  Is  Your  Home  Board? 24 


Home  Mission  Week,  1919 


27 


NATIONAL  RECONSTRUCTION 
THE  HOME  TASK 


I.  INTRODUCTION 


To  Pastors: 

The  pastor  is  the  key-man.  To  lead  in  right  thinking 
and  in  right  acting,  more  depends  upon  him  than  upon  any 
other  man.  There  are  more  pastors,  well  trained,  well  quali- 
fied and  high-minded,  than  of  any  other  class  of  men,  to 
whom  people  look  for  guidance. 

It  is  a time  for  clear  thinking,  as  well  as  for  right  action. 
A tremendous  mental  and  social  ferment  is  in  process.  Rus- 
sia has  it ; Germany  has  it ; England  has  it ; not  a little  of 
it  is  in  America;  no  land  is  entirely  free  of  it. 

Where  shall  we  come  out?  Will  the  existing  social  order 
be  overthrown  by  revolution?  By  a series  of  revolutions? 
Perhaps  one  in  every  nation?  Will  the  people  be  patient 
enough  to  think  through  the  needs  and  then  to  find  and 
apply  the  remedies  in  peaceful  ways  without  resorting  to 
violence? 

Much  depends  upon  the  church  and  her  leaders.  Religion 
has  been  vindicated  in  the  minds  of  men  as  the  one  thing 
which  remains  sure  and  gives  grounds  for  hope  and  confi- 
dence in  days  of  turmoil  and  strife ; but  it  must  be  a re- 
ligion, not  of  form  and  phrase,  not  so  much  of  other  world- 
liness, but  a religion  of  living  reality,  concerned  with  things 
which  now  are,  and  ministering  to  men  in  their  present  needs. 

It  is  a great  time  to  preach — a time  for  an  Isaiah  and  a 
Peter  and  a John.  It  is  a great  time  also  for  the  pastoral 
leadership  of  a Moses  and  a Barnabas  and  a Paul.  To  ap- 
ply the  message  of  Jesus  Christ  now  to  the  problems  of  the 
parish,  the  neighborhood,  the  town,  the  city  and  the  nation, 
may  help  save  the  world  from  the  paths  of  pain  and  dis- 
order, and  may  help  bring  all  nations  speedily  to  the  prac- 
tice of  Christian  principles  in  the  treatment  of  their  own 
peoples  and  of  each  other. 


4 


What  Is  Reconstbuction 


What  is  Reconstruction? 

The  word  is  not  a talisman.  It  contains  no  magic  power. 
Its  meaning  is  in  part  homely  and  prosaic.  We  use  it  be- 
cause it  first  means  to  us  restoring  things  which  have  been 
destroyed.  That  is  correct  so  far  as  getting  back  to  the 
ways  of  peace  is  concerned.  But  we  must  do  a great  deal 
more  than  simply  try  to  make  things  as  they  were. 

We  cannot  bring  to  life  the  7,354,000  men  who  have  met 
“battle  deaths,”  that  is,  have  died  either  actually  on  the 
field  of  battle,  or  directly  in  consequence  of  wounds  received 
in  battle.  We  cannot  restore  the  more  than  four  years 
which  have  been  worse  than  wasted,  in  an  economic  sense, 
by  the  nations  of  the  earth.  Had  the  civilized  nations  of 
the  earth  sat  still  for  four  years  the  financial  loss  would 
not  have  been  more  than  a fractional  part  as  great  as  that 
which  has  been  incurred  by  the  destructiveness  of  war.  We 
cannot  dry  the  tears  of  mothers  and  widows,  nor  bind  up 
broken  hearts,  nor  bring  back  to  orphans  the  fathers  whom 
they  have  lost.  How  can  we  talk  of  reconstruction  when 
we  think  in  terms  of  pain  and  anguish  and  love  and  life? 

Reconstruction  must  mean  to  us  at  least  the  following: — 

1.  Remedial  measures,  wherever  remedies  can  be  applied, 
and  cures  may  be  hoped  for ; 

2.  Restoration  wherever  losses  can  by  any  means  be  ac- 
tually replaced ; 

3.  Restitution  wherever  some  adequate  substitution  can 
be  made  for  irrevocable  losses;  and 

4.  New  construction,  which  may  be  an  atonement  for  the 
losses  experienced. 


Soldiers  and  Sailors 


5 


II.  THE  PRACTICAL  TASKS 

The  main  problems  of  reconstruction  for  the  nation  and 
for  almost  every  community  lie  in  the  following  nine  groups 
of  interests  and  lines  of  service: — 

1.  Returning  Soldiers  and  Sailors 

The  greatest  war  in  all  history  has  taken  place.  More 
than  fifty  millions  of  men  have  been  in  arms.  Never  before 
have  more  than  two  millions  of  men  been  opposed  to  each 
other.  There  have  been  more  than  five  millions  of  prisoners 
of  war;  and  the  cost  has  been  more  than  two  hundred  billions 
of  dollars.  Coming  generations  must  bear  the  burden,  as 
well  as  this  generation. 

(1)  Camps  and  cantonments  still  remain.  The  process 
of  demobilization  must  necessarily  be  slow.  An  army  of 
occupation  must  be  maintained;  an  army  to  help  in  policing 
the  world.  Society  also  must  be  prepared  for  the  return 
of  the  soldiers  and  sailors,  that  they  may  be  assimilated,  in- 
dustrially and  socially.  To  turn  them  loose  as  an  army 
of  unemployed  would  be  to  invite  disorder  and  disaster. 
After  complete  demobilization  a larger  standing  army,  and 
a larger  navy,  are  planned  for  than  ever  before. 

Chaplains  are  still  needed.  Churches  in  the  vicinity  of 
camps  and  cantonments  must  render  services  as  hitherto, 
thoughtfully  and  generously.  The  breaking  of  morale  is 
greater  after  the  armistice  than  before  it,  and  the  ministries 
of  the  chaplains  and  of  the  church  are  more  needed  now 
than  formerly. 

(2)  Demobilized  soldiers  and  sailors  need  work.  The 
pastor  and  his  people  can  help,  both  in  finding  employment 
and  in  encouraging  all  kinds  of  work  that  can  properly  be 
undertaken.  It  is  better  to  make  work  than  to  withhold 
work  and  make  paupers.  The  returning  soldier  is  no  pauper. 
The  greatest  safety  for  him  and  for  the  nation  lies  in  his 
finding  satisfying  and  productive  employment  immediately. 
Pastors  should  cooperate  with  the  local  Labor  Board  in  se- 
curing employment  for  every  man  whose  name  is  on  the 
Honor  Roll  of  the  local  church  and  for  displaced  war  work- 
ers. Where  no  such  Board  exists,  pastors  should  organize 


6 


Soldiers  and  Sailors 


a community  committee  to  cooperate  with  the  State  Council 
of  National  Defense  or  Director  of  Employment  Service. 

(3)  Social  readjustments  must  be  accomplished.  The 
soldiers’  and  sailors’  rights  need  in  some  cases  to  be  estab- 
lished. Family  relationships  require  in  many  instances  sym- 
pathetic counsel  and  cooperation  for  their  restoration.  Many 
soldiers  who  went  away  as  mere  lads  come  back  as  men,  and 
see  all  things  new.  There  may  be  cooperation  with  the  De- 
partment of  Civilian  Relief  of  the  Red  Cross  Chapter  nearest 
at  hand  in  many  of  these  cases  of  need. 

(4)  There  are  the  sick  and  wounded,  in  hospitals  for  the 
most  part.  They  must  be  visited ; and  this  should  not  be  left 
wholly  to  agencies  outside  of  the  church.  Rest  and  recupera- 
tion may  be  offered  by  those  who  represent  the  church  with 
a hospitality  comprehensive  and  unfailing.  Pastors  located 
within  reach  of  the  hospitals  will  find  that  by  having  their 
choirs  sing,  providing  entertainment,  visitation  by  pastors 
and  by  the  right  persons,  helping  with  correspondence  and 
other  forms  of  service  as  advised  and  requested  by  the  com- 
manding officer  or  chaplain  in  charge,  a very  valuable  service 
can  be  rendered. 

(5)  The  permanently  disabled  require  special  help,  re- 
education, and  readjustment.  The  Government  and  civilian 
agencies  are  ready  to  serve  in  these  directions ; but  the 
church,  too,  and  her  representatives  must  not  be  unmindful 
of  these  special  needs  and  the  opportunities  for  special  serv- 
ice. Encourage  the  wounded  soldier  in  the  thought  that  the 
world  offers  him  an  opportunity  for  self-support  and  help 
him  find  his  place. 

(6)  Many  of  the  boys  left  school  and  college.  The  am- 
bition for  obtaining  an  education  needs  to  be  revived,  and 
personal  contact  reestablished  with  educational  institutions. 
If  financial  difficulties  incident  to  war  exist,  encourage  the 
student  to  write  the  president  of  his  college  concerning  his 
financial  situation. 

(7)  There  are  those  who,  in  facing  the  real  issues  both 
of  life  and  death,  have  “found  themselves,”  and  discovered 
thereby  a real  call  to  the  ministry  and  missionary  service, 
to  the  commitment  of  life  for  human  welfare  and  liberty  in 
the  largest  sense.  These  men  must  be  discovered  and  helped 


Industrial  Centers 


7 


along  the  path  of  the  Divine  Calling.  With  the  gigantic 
task  to  which  the  Church  has  set  itself  an  enormously  in- 
creased body  of  trained  leadership  is  needed. 

2.  Reconstruction  in  Industrial  Centers 

Great  armies  of  civilian  war  workers  have  been  mobilized, 
both  of  men  and  women,  for  the  manufacture  of  munitions, 
the  making  of  equipment,  the  preparation  and  the  transpor- 
tation of  foodstuffs,  and  all  of  the  supplies  needful  for  our 
nation  and  for  the  allies.  These  people,  numbering  millions, 
are  now  required  to  readjust  themselves  to  the  conditions  of 
peace.  Changes  almost  as  great  as  those  facing  the  soldiers 
and  sailors  are  involved. 

(1)  Many  new  industrial  communities  were  created,  al- 
most over  night.  Some  of  these  will  be  closed.  Some  will 
continue,  and  by  adaptation  be  converted  unto  other  uses. 
Home  Mission  Boards  have  responsibilities  in  most  of  these 
cases.  Pastors  and  churches  must  help  their  Boards,  and 
through  their  Boards  render  the  national  service,  in  the  in- 
terests of  the  Kingdom  of  Christ,  which  they  alone  cannot 
perform.  Write  your  Board  about  these  places. 

(2)  “Liberty  Churches”  have  been  called  into  existence 
in  some  industrial  centers.  These  are  associations  of  Chris- 
tians of  many  kinds,  organized  for  community  service.  Some 
of  these  may  become  permanent  churches  of  the  normal  or- 
der. This  is  usually  a Board  task,  to  be  cared  for  in  cooper- 
ation with  other  agencies.  Here  again  pastor  and  people 
may,  in  most  instances,  best  serve  through  their  Home  Mis- 
sion Boards.  Apply  to  your  Board  for  information. 

(3)  In  many  communities  normal  activities,  including 
those  of  recreation  and  amusement,  must  be  restored,  and 
properly  guided  and  guarded.  The  church,  if  at  hand  as 
single  organizations,  or  else  through  the  larger  denomina- 
tional agencies,  must  help  purify  and  keep  wholesome  all  the 
accompaniments  of  industrial  life.  This  may  be  your  op- 
portunity. 

(4)  There  is  the  direct  and  specific  preaching  of  the 
Gospel  to  be  done  by  the  means,  not  of  the  voice  alone,  but 
of  life  in  its  manifold  forms,  which  will  attract  attention 
and  make  lasting  impressions.  The  pulpit  is  your  throne. 


8 


Rural  Morale 


Let  it  speak  clearly ; and  help  your  Board  make  it  possible 
for  the  preachers  to  preach  where  you  cannot  preach. 

(5)  The  development  of  a community  consciousness  must 
be  guided  by  the  pastor  and  his  people  around  subjects  of 
human  welfare,  and  not  be  permitted  to  become  wholly  secu- 
larized, without  the  glow  and  fusion  of  the  sacrificial  spirit 
of  Christ.  Are  you  ready  to  adapt  your  ministry  to  new 
conditions  and  new  needs? 

(6)  Those  who  work,  feeling  now  to  an  unusual  degree  a 
class  consciousness,  require  as  never  before  the  kindly,  vet 
fearless,  reproof  of  the  Gospel  in  terms  of  justice  and  equity, 
and  the  inspiration  and  comfort  of  the  Gospel  in  terms  of 
confidence  and  hope.  No  less  do  those  who  give  employment 
need  to  have  brought  home  to  life  and  conscience  the 
equitable  and  the  merciful  spirit  of  Jesus  Christ.  Are  you 
bridging  the  gap  between  classes? 

3.  The  Problems  of  Rural  Morale 

The  great  war  taught  as  never  before  the  lessons  of  human 
dependence  upon  foodstuffs  and  food-producers.  The  great 
farm,  with  its  wide  stretches  of  thousands  of  acres,  and  the 
little  kitchen  garden  comprising  a few  square  feet  have  as- 
sumed national  importance. 

(1)  Rural  Liberty  Churches  in  many  instances  have  been 
pointed  out  as  models  and  patterns.  The  desirable  type 
should  be  imitated.  Each  farmer,  each  worker  on  the  land, 
may  establish  personal  relations  with  some  church,  and  help 
toward  its  perfection ; by  so  doing  he  promotes  national  wel- 
fare, and  helps  extend  the  Kingdom  of  God.  If  you  are 
amongst  farmers,  blessed  is  your  opportunity. 

(2)  All  churches  should  approximate  the  higher  stand- 
ards. It  is  legitimate  to  aim  at  an  increase  of  numbers,  for 

a.  Many,  more  easily  than  few,  support  regular  services, 
and  support  better  services  ; 

b.  Many,  more  readily  than  few,  make  an  impression  on 
the  community  and  render  the  church  attractive; 

c.  Numerical  size  becomes  an  inspiration  and  imparts  a 
consciousness  of  strength,  as  paucity  of  numbers  cannot; 

d.  Numbers  are  capable  of  accomplishing  needed  service 


Lumber  Camps  and  Mines 


9 


for  the  community,  which  without  the  united  strength  of 
many  would  be  impossible. 

The  size  of  small  congregations  may  be  augmented  in  the 
following  ways: — 

(a)  Bv  adding  attractive  features  to  the  public  ministra- 
tions ; 

(b)  Bv  efficiency  in  pastoral  and  lay  visitation; 

The  spaces  between  individuals  may  be  filled  with  sympa- 
thy through  friendly  calls. 

(c)  By  the  combination  of  different  denominations  in 
common  services; 

(d)  By  agreements,  under  which  two  or  more  churches 
may  so  cooperate  as  to  remove  strife  and  consolidate 
strength. 

There  are  plans  for  “Reciprocal  Exchanges”  which  have 
been  tested  in  actual  experience,  and  have  been  found  help- 
ful in  promoting  the  interests  of  the  Kingdom.  These  may 
be  learned  of  at  denominational  headquarters. 

(e)  In  a few  instances  it  has  been  found  practicable  to 
transfer  congregations,  by  automobile  or  otherwise,  to  a 
community  center,  just  as  children  have  been  transferred  to 
central  school  buildings ; 

(f)  New  planning  in  new  communities  may  be  possible 
where  Government  projects  of  making  settlements  on  re- 
claimed land  are  carried  out; 

(g)  All  of  these  combinations,  which  involve  the  adjust- 
ment of  relations  between  denominations,  should  be  referred 
to  denominational  authorities  for  counsel  and  advice.  Write 
to  your  own  Home  Mission  Board  about  these  plans. 

4.  Isolated  Men  in  Lumber  Camps  and  Mines 

Small  groups  of  men,  and  yet  some  of  them  ranging  from 
fifty  to  three  hundred  in  a group,  are  scattered  in  the  timber 
areas  of  Southern  states,  Northeastern  states  and  North- 
western states.  At  least  two  hundred  thousand  of  them  are 
cut  off  from  permanent  settlements  which  provide  the  usual 
helps  and  safeguards  of  home,  school,  proper  amusement,  and 
religious  privileges.  Sometimes  they  are  housed  in  freight 
cars,  in  temporary  shacks,  or  at  best  bunk-houses  of  logs 


10 


Spanish-Speaking  People 


and  rough  boards.  Amongst  them  have  arisen,  to  a surpris- 
ing extent,  agitators  of  the  I.  W.  W.  kind,  with  anarchistic 
and  destructive  tendencies. 

Sometimes  local  churches  near  at  hand  may  render  a help- 
ful and  adequate  service.  Pastors  and  people  must  be 
thoughtful  of  these  sturdy  workers,  and  should  notify  their 
Home  Mission  Boards  concerning  needs  as  the  needs  arise 
under  their  observation. 

The  Rev.  H.  W.  Pilot,  after  recent  studies  of  the  logging 
centers  in  the  Pacific  Northwest,  recommends  that  Christian 
workers  be  so  placed  as  to  be  able  to  minister  adequately  to 
the  seven  hundred  lumber  camps  of  Washington  and  Oregon 
with  an  Evangelistic  and  welfare  program.  Also  that  a wide 
distribution  of  literature  be  made  declaring  the  attitude  of 
the  church  on  industrial  and  social  problems.  Large  num- 
bers of  workers  have  lost  faith  in  the  church  partly  through 
misunderstanding.  They  have  little  confidence  in  the  courts. 
A fruitful  field  for  education  is  open  here.  Mr.  Pilot  se- 
cured his  information  while  in  close  contact  with  the  work- 
men, sometimes  himself  a workman. 

During  the  recent  strike  in  Seattle,  Rev.  D.  L.  Schultz 
was  addressing  meetings  three  times  each  day.  Many  of 
them  were  overflow  meetings.  Here,  too,  the  hostility  to  the 
church,  the  ministry  and  the  Bible  was  plainly  evident.  There 
was  much  questioning  about  the  church  and  many  bitter  re- 
marks. In  one  meeting  one  of  the  men  who  had  been  caustic 
in  his  criticisms  later  rose  to  apologize  and  said:  “Men,  we 
had  better  investigate  hereafter  before  we  attempt  to  speak 
against  the  church  as  we  have  tonight.” 

5.  For  Spanish-Speaking  People 

One  of  the  great  migrations,  begun  before  the  war,  but 
accentuated  by  the  war,  has  been  of  Mexicans  and  others 
who  speak  the  Spanish  language,  northward  from  the  south- 
west boundary  through  many  states,  and  into  states  into 
which  they  hitherto  have  not  penetrated.  Some  of  these 
people  are  by  birth  Americans ; but  in  language,  in  customs, 
in  thoughts,  and  in  religion  are  wholly  unAmcrican.  Their 
numbers  reach  up  into  hundreds  of  thousands.  Some  pas- 
tors and  some  churches,  reached  by  this  printed  page,  are 


Problems  of  the  Negro 


11 


alongside  of  these  Spanish-speaking  people.  In  such  cases 
a direct  ministry  is  possible,  a ministry  of  kindly  considera- 
tion, of  sympathetic  adaptation  to  needs  and  characteristics 
and  temperaments,  and  of  unfailing  patience,  in  order  to 
bring  to  bear  in  effective  manner  the  principles  of  Jesus 
Christ  upon  the  lives  of  individuals,  families  and  neighbor- 
hoods. 

In  many  instances  the  service  rendered  to  this  class  of 
people  must  be  through  the  medium  of  representatives  of  the 
Home  Mission  Boards.  Pastors  and  people  should  ascer- 
tain facts  from  their  own  denominational  headquarters, 
through  the  literature  published,  and  through  directions  and 
advice  which  will  be  given  by  correspondence.  Contributions 
of  money  to  the  Home  Mission  Boards  can  be  converted 
through  the  alchemy  of  service  into  Christian  ministries 
which  may  carry  the  givers  almost  in  person  unto  those  who 
are  in  need.  Here  is  a service  of  national  significance. 

6.  The  Problems  of  the  Negro 

Prompted  by  several  motives,  largely  economic,  partly 
social,  hundreds  of  thousands  of  Negroes  have  moved  in  great 
migrations  from  the  South  to  the  North.  By  this  trek 
northward  industrial  cities  have  been  invaded  by  thousands 
and  tens  of  thousands  who  have  settled  generally  in  clearly 
defined  areas,  and  occasion  perplexing  problems,  the  solution 
of  which  reach  beyond  these  cities  into  the  national  well- 
being. 

(1)  In  the  Southland  this  migration  occasions  chiefly  a 
rural  problem,  due  to  shortage  of  labor.  The  South  has 
long  had  its  issues  of  color  and  race,  which  call  for  the  exer- 
cise of  Christian  patience  and  the  manifestation  of  the  Chris- 
tian spirit.  Side  by  side  with  the  Negro  the  pastor  and  his 
people  have  their  tasks  as  individuals  to  minister  in  the  name, 
and  in  the  manner,  of  the  Master.  The  war  has  brought  a 
new  emphasis  here. 

(2)  In  the  North  there  arise  chiefly  urban  problems,  with 
congested  populations  under  unfavorable  conditions,  need- 
ing almost  every  kind  of  ministration.  Housing  accommoda- 
tions are  not  infrequently  inadequate  and  unsanitary.  Rents 
increase  exorbitantly  in  price.  In  some  cases  the  Negro  is 


12 


The  Race  Situation 


debarred  from  wholesome  places  of  amusement.  For  his 
children  there  may  be  no  schools ; and  even  in  the  church, 
among  people  of  his  own  color,  he  may  fail  of  a cordial  re- 
ception because,  coming  from  the  farm-labor  of  the  South, 
he  faces  a feeling  of  superiority  and  exclusiveness  which  has 
arisen  in  the  minds  of  the  industrial  workers  of  the  North. 
The  better  social  advantages  longed  for,  and  at  the  heart  of 
the  migration,  are  not  always  found  at  the  end  of  the  journey. 

(3)  The  Negro  returning  from  the  war,  and  those  of  his 
race  who  know  his  brave  contributions  to  the  cause  of  human 
liberty  in  lands  overseas,  have  a new  consciousness  of  his 
worth,  and  a renewed  determination  to  secure  recognition  of 
that  worth  and  of  his  place  in  the  scale  of  human  beings. 
Proverbially  patient,  yet  the  Negro  now  is  invited,  by  the 
very  mental  movements  of  the  day,  to  self-assertion  and  to 
unrest. 

Here  are  serious  situations,  full  of  portent,  unless  met 
and  relieved  by  the  spirit  of  Christ  incarnate  in  the  Chris- 
tian church,  in  its  leaders  and  in  its  members.  A great  na- 
tional spirit  of  patience  and  of  self-restraint,  of  equity  and 
of  justice  must  be  engendered  and  put  into  practice. 

Rev.  Harold  M.  Kingsley  puts  the  case  for  his  race  as 
follows : — 

NEW  ASPECTS  OF  RACE  SITUATION 

Exodus 

Race  conditions  fundamentally  altered  by  the  coming  of  over  500,000 
Negroes  to  the  North:  a movement  that  has  passed  flood  tide  but  is 
still  on,  its  future  size  being  conditioned  upon  the  economic  and  political 
conditions  of  both  North  and  South. 

The  following  problems  and  solutions  present  themselves: 

(1)  Housing  acute:  Negroes  being  generally  confined  to  undesirable 
localities,  in  buildings  that  violate  building  and  sanitary  laws,  are  over- 
crowded, are  charged  extortionate  rents,  are  subjected  to  boarding  house 
evils  and  disease.  Adequate  healthful  dwellings  are  possible  on  a re- 
munerative financial  basis  as  shown  in  the  dwelling  house  projects  in 
Springfield,  Mass.,  and  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

(2)  Employment:  Negroes  discriminated  against  by  unions  in  many 
places  and  confined  to  menial  capacities,  earning  power  and  standards 
of  living  lowered  in  consequence. 

(3)  Recreation:  Lack  of  facilities  to  meet  the  legitimate  pleasure  in- 
stinct, women  and  girls  entering  industrial  life  make  a corresponding 
increase  in  juvenile  crime  and  unmarried  mothers.  There  is  a universal 
lack  of  decent  places  of  amusement  and  assembly. 

(4)  Religion:  Additional  churches  are  needed  less  than  intelligent 
stimulation  of  existing  churches,  a broadening  of  church  program,  and 
an  expansion  of  church  facilities  and  equipment;  churches  usually  hos- 
tile to  amusements  and  without  program  for  young  people;  small  mis- 


The  Race  Situation 


13 


sions  springing  up  should  be  carefully  investigated  and  properly  author- 
ized when  begging  aid;  larger  and  more  sympathetic  cooperation  is 
needed  between  church  and  other  agencies,  especially  between  the  races. 

A general  educational  campaign  is  needed  to  focus  the  attention  of 
the  public  on  these  problems. 

These  problems  of  transition  of  a distinct  group  of  people  from  an 
environment  largely  rural  to  highly  organized  industrial  life  must  be 
adjusted  with  regard  to  six  factors: 

(1)  Fellow  white  workers; 

(2)  Negro  wage-earners; 

(3)  Local  business; 

(4)  Local  political  expression; 

(5)  Philanthropy  and  religion. 


The  War 

The  making  of  300,000  Negro  soldiers,  with  approximately  1,000 
commissioned  officers,  and  with  45,000  of  these  troops  being  combat 
troops  and  many  actually  engaging,  with  glorious  records,  in  the  battles 
for  democracy,  and  with  the  lessons  in  self-reliance,  obedience,  courage 
and  regularity,  has,  without  a doubt,  produced  a higher  type  of  Negro. 
His  experiences  in  Europe,  his  free  self-sacrifice,  his  contact  with 
liberal  French  civilization  make  him  a logical  candidate  for  larger  liber- 
ties in  his  own  land  and  less  race  persecution.  He  will,  no  doubt,  want 
better  living  conditions,  better  opportunities  for  education,  protection 
from  mob  law — a better  chance  to  be  a man.  And  he  has  earned  the 
right. 

Other  Factors 

Negative: 

(1)  Universal  caste  feeling  resulting  from  250  years  of  slavery,  which 
is  decidedly  against  the  progress  of  the  Negro,  residting  in  many  forms 
of  injustice  and  violence. 

(2)  Revival  of  lynching — 62  in  1918,  24  more  than  in  1917;  revival 
of  appeal  to  direct  action;  reorganization  of  KUKLUX  KLAN  in 
Alabama,  Georgia  and  Tennessee. 

(3)  Growing  disorderly  class  of  Negroes  as  a result  of  backward 
conditions. 

Positive: 

(1)  Cooperative  machinery  of  war  drives  establishing  helpful  sym- 
pathetic contact  between  the  races;  the  absolute  loyalty  of  the  Negro 
and  the  war-time  promises  of  better  treatment;  more  liberal  white  lead- 
ership in  South,  and  enlightened  industrial  leadership  and  program  in 
the  North. 

(2)  Peace-loving,  humorous,  imaginative,  patient,  sunny  disposition 
of  the  Negro  himself — absolutely  in  favor  of  Christian  reconstruction. 

(3)  The  definite  assumption  by  America  of  the  championship  of 
liberty  and  justice;  the  voicing  of  these  ideals  and  leadership  of  them 
by  President  Wilson. 

(4)  The  complete  absence  of  sectional  issues;  the  North,  the  South, 
the  Negro,  being  companions  in  arms,  makers  of  history  together,  com- 
mon champions  of  the  cause  of  human  justice. 

The  Challenge 

The  challenge,  therefore,  to  American  Democracy  is  to  include  in 
the  great  program  of  liberty,  righteousness  and  democracy  12,000,000 
of  American  Negroes. 


14 


Americanization 


7.  The  Problems  of  Americanization 

During  the  early  stages  of  the  war  our  nation  discovered 
itself  face  to  face  with  threatening  dangers  due  to  unassimi- 
lated  elements  of  population.  We  talked  about  “the  hy- 
phen,” and  feared  what  it  might  imply,  a divided  allegiance 
and  a traitorous  sentiment  within  our  very  midst.  Ameri- 
canization involves 

(1)  The  use  of  a common  language — and  more. 

(2)  Acquaintance  with  local  and  national  customs,  as- 
similation in  industry  and  society,  with  the  understanding 
and  adoption  of  American  ideals. 

(3)  Equitable  treatment  by  individuals  and  in  group  re- 
lations. 

(4)  The  friendly  attitude  of  mind,  expressing  real  Chris- 
tian sentiments. 

At  the  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Home  Missions  Council  an 
extended  statement  of  “An  Americanization  Policy,”  pre- 
pared by  Rev.  Charles  A.  Brooks,  contained  the  following 
paragraphs : — 

1.  We  urge  a conception  of  Americanization  which  shall  make  clear: 

(1)  That  the  objective  is  national  unity  for  world  service  upon  the 
plane  of  our  highest  ideals; 

(2)  That  it  is  a spiritual  and  not  a mechanical  process; 

(3)  That  it  cannot  be  achieved  by  fiat  or  force; 

(4)  That  it  involves  mutual  responsibilities  on  the  part  of  both  native 
and  foreign-born. 

2.  In  order  to  avoid  misconceptions  we  declare  explicitly  that 
A mericanization — 

(1)  Is  not  a war  measure,  but  a measure  of  reconstruction; 

(2)  It  is  not  a propaganda  directed  against  any  particular  racial 
group,  but  an  attempt  to  overcome  alienism  and  achieve  national  soli- 
darity ; 

(3)  It  is  not  antagonism  toward  other  nations,  but  accords  equal 
rights  to  all  nations; 

(4)  It  does  not  demand  the  repudiation  of  anyone’s  ancestral  heri- 
tage, but  welcomes  the  contribution  of  everything  which  will  enrich  our 
national  life. 

3.  We  would  stress  as  essential  the  recognition  of  the  following  facts : 

(1)  That  to  be  great  a nation  does  not  need  to  be  of  one  blood,  but 
it  must  be  of  one  mind; 

(2)  That  in  order  to  act  together,  in  accordance  with  the  demands 
of  Democracy,  we  must  think  together; 

(3)  That  the  medium  of  common  thought  is  a common  language; 


National  Health 


15 


(4)  That  the  duties  of  citizenship  are  as  imperative  as  the  rights 
guaranteed  by  the  Constitution. 

(5)  That  full  participation  in  the  whole  life  of  America  on  the 
part  of  all  the  people  in  America  demands  the  removal  of  every  barrier 
erected  by  a sentimental  race  consciousness  and  the  creation  of  a new 
American  national  consciousness. 

8.  The  National  Health 

Are  ministers  simply  to  preach  funeral  sermons?  Is  it 
to  be  their  function  to  pronounce  eulogies  and  speak  words 
of  comfort,  without  giving  the  warnings  and  help  set  in 
operation  the  principles  of  health  which  may  prevent  prema- 
ture death? 

More  than  at  any  time  in  the  past,  sanitary  and  hygienic 
conditions  are  seen  to  have  a direct  relation  to  morals  and 
to  good  living.  The  ministry  of  those  who  save  life  by  the 
prevention  of  epidemics  and  physical  disorders  is  now  rec- 
ognized as  at  least  equal  to  that  of  those  who  save  life  by 
healing  wounds  and  diseases.  To  prevent  is  even  more  hu- 
mane and  is  much  more  economical  than  to  cure. 

Did  not  Jesus  perform  miracles  of  healing  in  connection 
with  His  message  of  spiritual  life  and  grace? 

At  least  three  great  health  problems  have  recently 
emerged,  seen  to  be  more  than  matters  of  individual  care 
and  precaution,  but  belonging  really  to  the  social  organiza- 
tion of  which  the  church  should  be  the  guiding  part,  and 
affecting  the  life  of  all  nations. 

(1)  The  hook-worm  infection,  within  recent  years  ascer- 
tained to  be  preventable,  has  been  studied,  successfully 
coped  with,  and  in  many  localities  almost  exterminated,  un- 
der the  labors  of  the  Rockefeller  Foundation.  The  hook- 
worm ravages  have  been  most  manifest  throughout  the 
southern  belt  around  the  world,  but  is  not  unknown  in  more 
northern  areas.  It  has  spread  entirely  through  the  infec- 
tion of  the  soil,  due  to  unsanitary  habits.  Its  cure  and  its 
prevention  is  a matter  of  public  intelligence  and  social  de- 
termination. The  pastor  can  procure  ample  information  by 
addressing  the  Rockefeller  Foundation,  61  Broadway,  New 
York  City. 

(2)  Tuberculosis  is  now  known  to  be  almost  entirely  pre- 
ventable. Many  agencies,  having  human  welfare  in  view, 


16 


Social  Health 


are  directed  now  toward  both  the  cure  and  the  prevention. 
Sanitariums  are  near  in  almost  every  state,  and  to  almost 
every  community.  Anti-Tuberculosis  Associations  organ- 
ized in  different  areas  are  active  in  disseminating  informa- 
tion and  pointing  out  remedies  and  agencies  for  relief.  The 
Red  Cross  has  devoted  a part  of  its  staff  and  its  energies  to 
combating  this  disease.  The  pastor,  without  losing  sight  of 
his  main  spiritual  mission,  needs  to  be  an  exponent  of  right 
physical  conditions,  and  a helper  in  defeating  the  inroads  of 
all  diseases  which  are  preventable.  If  he  knows  not  where 
else  to  apply  for  information,  he  may  address  the  National 
Tuberculosis  Association,  381  Fourth  Avenue,  New  York 
City. 

(3)  Then  there  is  what  is  called  the  social  health  of  the 
nation.  Rev.  Paul  Moore  Strayer,  under  the  title  “The 
Church  to  the  Rescue,”  as  Chairman  of  a Sub-Committee  of 
the  General  War-Time  Commission  of  the  Churches,  makes 
the  following  statements: — 

Greater  progress  has  been  made  in  this  country  during  the  war  in 
dealing  with  social  vice  than  in  all  of  our  previous  history.  Men  in  the 
army  for  the  first  time  realize  the  physical  consequences  of  sin,  and 
have  reached  a new  social  judgment  on  the  whole  matter.  The  war  has 
lifted  the  question  of  fighting  the  spread  of  sexual  vice  and  venereal 
disease  to  a new  level,  where  it  can  be  discussed  more  intelligently  and 
effectively. 

Some  moral  leaders  are  disturbed  lest  in  the  army  the  emphasis  was 
too  much  on  the  physical  consequences  of  sexual  vice  and  too  little  on 
moral  considerations.  Indulgence  has  been  made  more  safe,  but  not 
more  sinful.  To  which  the  army  surgeons  may  reply,  “Our  business  is 
to  deal  with  the  body.  It  is  the  task  of  the  religious  teacher  to  appeal 
to  moral  sanctions.”  No  one  realizes  more  than  the  army  surgeons  them- 
selves how  partial  their  work  has  been.  They  know  that  their  success 
in  dealing  with  the  problem  of  venereal  diseases  has  been  largely  due  to 
military  restrictions.  When  these  restrictions  are  off  and  the  soldiers 
are  demobilized,  then  will  come  the  testing  time. 

Realizing  the  necessity  of  the  moral  appeal,  they  have  turned  to  the 
churches.  The  Surgeon-General’s  office  has  asked  every  minister,  priest 
and  rabbi  to  speak  on  Sunday,  February  23rd  (the  date  being  changed 
from  February  9th  because  of  the  Roosevelt  Memorial),  on  “The  Re- 
sponsibility of  the  Church  for  Health  and  Social  Morals.”  The  plan 
includes  a meeting  for  men  and  a meeting  for  women  in  the  week  fol- 
lowing, and  a local  church  committee  to  make  the  campaign  permanent 
and  effective.  Adequate  literature  may  be  had  from  the  United  States 
Public  Health  Service,  Surgeon-General’s  Office,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Every  church  ought  to  respond.  The  cities  should  be  made  as  safe 
as  the  camps.  This  cannot  be  done  by  the  civil  authorities  alone.  The 
responsibility  rests  on  the  whole  community,  and  especially  on  the 
churches.  Here  is  an  opportunity  made  for  us  by  the  Government  of 
the  United  States  to  approach  these  problems  from  the  moral  side.  It 
is  more  than  an  opportunity,  it  is  an  obligation. 


National  Mind 


17 


The  reference  to  one  Sunday,  which  may  be  observed,  does 
not  preclude  the  observance  of  other  Sundays,  and  continued 
attention  to  a subject  so  important. 


9.  The  National  Mind 

More  than  any  other  men,  the  pastors  have  power  in 
shaping  the  convictions  of  the  nation.  Public  opinion,  in 
a popular  sense,  may  be  blown  about  by  lesser  influences  on 
the  surface,  but  ministers  of  righteousness  reach  down  deep 
in  the  conscience  of  individuals  and  of  society.  It  is  their 
time,  like  prophets  of  God,  to  behold  His  truth  and  to  make 
it  known  unto  men. 

(1)  It  is  the  time  now  to  eliminate  hate  from  the  mind. 
There  is  a path  of  careful  discrimination  to  pursue.  The 
unrepentant  need  not  be  treated  with  maudlin  sentimentality. 
But  hatred  is  no  part  even  of  justice.  The  President  of  the 
United  States  is  a great  preacher  just  now  of  international 
justice  and  of  international  kindness. 

(2)  The  community  point  of  view,  prominent  as  never 
before,  must  be  cultivated,  not  combated.  Unless  the  Chris- 
tian leadership  is  brought  to  bear  upon  community  problems, 
community  movements  will  be  organized  without  the  religious 
impulse  in  them.  Less  than  any  time  in  the  past  can  the 
church  now  afford  to  stand  aloof  from  her  environment.  She 
may  help  make  things  holy  which  are  ordinarily  regarded 
as  secular. 

(3)  Righteousness  in  the  nation  has  been  exalted.  It  must 
be  exalted  still.  There  have  been  very  plain  indications  that 
no  substitutes  of  human  wisdom  can  fill  the  place  of  those 
ethical  and  spiritual  qualities  which  come  down  out  of  heaven. 

(4)  Confidence  in  the  principles  of  democracy  has  been 
confirmed.  It  must  be  increased.  Great  social  ferments  ap- 
pear in  almost  every  nation ; men  are  reaching  up  after  lib- 
erty in  all  its  forms  and  implications.  Oftentimes  they  are 
rash  and  see  but  dimly  the  objects  for  which  they  strive. 
Ahead  are  dangerous  days,  unless  righteousness  and  justice 
prevail.  It  is  a time  for  clear  thinking  and  steadying  utter- 
ances. 


18 


League  of  Nations 


(5)  A League  of  Nations  has  been  proposed  as  a com- 
pact, on  democratic  principles,  for  the  protection  of  the 
liberties  of  the  nations,  and  the  adjustment  of  their  relations 
by  the  arbitrament  of  reason  so  as  to  abolish  war.  A mission 
of  righteousness  is  rendered  by  him  who  seeks  in  the  field  of 
the  nations  to  make  effective  the  principles  of  Christian 
statesmanship. 

THE  CHURCH  INDORSES  THE  LEAGUE  OF  NATIONS 

The  Executive  Committee  of  the  Federal  Council  of  the  Churches  of 
Christ  in  America  at  its  annual  meeting  at  Atlantic  City,  December  12, 
1918,  passed  the  following  resolutions  supporting  the  League  of  Nations 
and  calling  upon  all  the  churches  of  the  country  to  support  it  with 
their  influence: 

Resolved 

First:  That  this  Executive  Committee  of  the  Federal  Council  of  the 
Churches  of  Christ  in  America  heartily  favors  the  immediate  formation 
of  a League  of  Nations  by  which  “common  standards  of  right  and  privi- 
lege for  all  peoples  and  nations”  shall  be  guaranteed  by  the  united  power 
of  all, 

Second:  That  the  Administrative  Committee  of  the  Federal  Council 
be  and  hereby  is  instructed, 

(a)  To  secure  from  as  many  of  the  officials  of  American  churches  as 
may  be  practicable  their  personal  signatures  in  support  of  a League  of 
Nations. 

(b)  To  present  to  the  Supreme  Peace  Council  soon  to  be  convened 
the  above  resolution  of  endorsement  by  the  Federal  Council,  togther 
with  these  personal  endorsements. 

(c)  To  appoint  a suitable  Special  Commission  representing,  so  far 
as  practicable,  the  Protestant  churches  of  America,  to  present  the  above 
documents  to  the  Supreme  Peace  Council. 

The  Federal  Council  is  composed  of  representatives  of  the  Protestant 
churches  of  America  and  speaks  in  their  name. 

And  the  League  of  Nations  appears  to  be  almost  an  as- 
sured fact.  A stupendous  historic  event  is  transpiring  al- 
most beneath  our  eyes.  The  church  must  sustain  it  and  give 
its  phrases  the  true  moral  content  which  they  involve. 


Abiding  Gains 


19 


III.  HEARTENING  ASSURANCES 

1.  Great  Gains  on  Which  to  Rely 

The  war  has  not  been  wholly  of  evil.  Out  of  the  unity  of 
purpose,  accompanying  the  sacrificial  spirit  which  has  led 
millions  of  men  to  the  altars  of  national  devotion,  springing 
from  the  fine  idealism  by  which  almost  the  entire  nation  has 
been  liberated  from  petty  and  sordid  materialism,  have  is- 
sued many  gains,  inestimable  in  value  and  promising,  in  part 
at  least,  to  be  permanent. 

(1)  Prohibition  has  come  to  the  nation,  partly  as  a war 
measure,  partly  as  the  final  formulation  of  slowly  developing 
convictions.  Prohibition  should  not  be  lost.  It  will  be  mis- 
represented ; it  will  be  ridiculed ; it  will  be  assailed ; it  will 
have  every  manner  of  open  and  of  hidden  hostility  directed 
against  it.  It  must  be  fortified  by  the  teachings  of  the  pul- 
pit, and  by  the  convictions  of  the  pew. 

(2)  Habits  of  common  action  have  been  acquired.  All 
of  these  must  not  be  lost.  The  lessons  of  thrift  and  self- 
denial,  and  moderation  in  pastimes,  in  feastings,  in  dress  and 
show,  must  be  maintained.  It  would  be  well  to  preserve  many 
of  the  organizations  which  have  brought  together  different 
races,  different  social  groupings,  and  different  religions,  in 
the  same  community.  We  must  still  cultivate  the  best  ele- 
ments of  our  national  brotherhood. 

(3)  Conventionalities  in  good  part  have  broken  down. 
They  must  not  be  restored.  Under  stress  of  war  men  ad- 
dressed each  other  without  the  formalities  of  an  introduc- 
tion. Every  boy  in  khaki  or  in  blue  belongs  to  us  all;  and 
every  man  who  works  in  honest  toil  is  making  a contribution 
to  the  common  advantage.  We  need  not  stand  apart  and 
look  at  each  other  askance. 

(4)  The  common  people  have  been  trusted.  They  must 
be  made  worthy  of  the  trust  imposed  in  them.  The  trust 
should  not  be  withdrawn.  The  ills  of  democracy  are  usually 
remedied  by  making  the  institutions  of  democracy  even  more 
democratic. 

(5)  Men  crave  realities.  They  have  faced  realities,  and 
have  found  that  shams  are  insecure.  They  must  not  be  fed 


20 


Individual  Obligations 


with  forms.  Never  was  there  a time  when  religion  had  a 
fairer  chance,  or  was  more  in  demand. 

2.  The  Obligation  on  Every  One 

Amorj  H.  Bradford  once  gave  to  his  people  in  Montclair, 
N.  J.,  this  two-minute  message  from  the  pulpit,  which  he 
called  “The  Categorical  Imperative”: 

“Suppose  all  the  citizens  of  this  community  were  to  take 
the  same  amount  of  interest  in  its  affairs,  and  give  to  them 
the  same  amount  of  time  and  effort  that  we  do,  and  no  more, 
what  kind  of  a community  would  this  be? 

“Suppose  that  all  men  were  to  do  as  much  to  help  the 
deserving  poor  to  get  work  as  we  do,  and  no  more,  how  many 
of  them  would  have  work? 

“Suppose  that  all  our  people  should  give  as  much  of  their 
property,  in  proportion  to  their  ability,  to  missions  and  to 
moral  reform  as  we  give,  what  would  be  the  condition  of  the 
world  ? 

“Suppose  that  all  who  attend  church,  who  are  able  to  be 
prompt,  should  be  as  prompt  in  attendance  as  we  are,  and 
no  more,  what  time  would  our  church  services  begin? 

“Suppose  that  all  who  buy  and  sell  property  should  be  as 
anxious  that  those  with  whom  they  deal  should  get  their  full 
rights  as  we  are  in  our  dealings,  would  there  be  more  or  less 
harmony  in  society? 

“Suppose  that  all  the  whites  in  the  country  should  treat 
the  colored  people  as  you  and  I do,  would  this  be  a better 
and  a happier  nation? 

“Suppose  that  all  who  profess  and  call  themselves  Chris- 
tians should  keep  as  near  to  the  example  of  Jesus  Christ  as 
we  do,  would  it  be  easier  or  more  difficult  for  others  to  be 
Christians? 

“Suppose  that  all  men  tried  to  live  by  the  Golden  Rule  as 
earnestly  as  we  do,  and  no  more,  could  brotherly  love  be 
promoted? 

“Suppose  that  all  other  Christians  were  as  anxious  that 
sinners  should  be  saved  as  we  are,  and  no  more  so,  how  many 
would  be  reached  by  the  Gospel?” 


Parable  of  Persuasion 


21 


3.  A Method  of  Speech  and  Persuasion 

THE  PARABLES  OF  SAFED  THE  SAGE 

THE  PARABLE  OF  THE  BARBER-SHOP 

I was  grieved  by  the  Follies  and  Sins  of  men.  And  it  seemed  to  me 
that  all  men  were  Wicked  and  all  women  were  Foolish.  And  there  were 
certain  days  wherein  there  came  to  me  men  and  women  whose  deeds 
merited  reproof.  And  I reproved  them  sharply;  yea,  I told  them  every 
one  his  Sin. 

And  there  followed  a day  which  was  the  Sabbath.  And  the  thing 
had  Got  on  my  Nerve.  And  I went  into  the  Sanctuary,  and  I stood  up 
in  the  sight  of  the  Whole  Congregation,  and  I rebuked  the  people  for 
their  Backslidings  and  their  Transgressions.  And  I feared  not  their 
faces;  neither  spared  I them  in  my  chastisement. 

And  certain  of  the  congregation  spake  to  me,  saying,  Thou  didst 
Rub  it  In  a Little  Too  Vigorously. 

And  I said.  Nay.  I speak  as  the  prophets  of  God  must  speak.  I 
will  not  prophesy  smooth  things.  I will  Cry  Aloud  and  Show  the  people 
their  Transgressions.  Yea,  the  Word  of  God  in  my  mouth  shall  not  be 
as  it  were  a Mouth  of  Meal,  but  as  a two-edged  Sword,  dividing  asunder 
the  Joints  and  Marrow,  and  Discerning  the  Thoughts  and  Intents  of 
the  Heart. 

Now  on  the  morrow  I said  to  Keturah,  I go  to  the  Barber-Shop. 

And  Keturah  said,  Go,  my  lord.  But  another  time  go  thou  on  the 
day  that  precedeth  the  Sabbath;  for  thy  hair  and  thy  beard  showed 
yesterday  that  they  needed  to  be  Trimmed. 

So  I went  to  the  Barber-Shop.  And  I sat  on  a Great  Throne,  with 
a Bib  about  me,  while  the  Barber  did  his  Duty.  And  I beheld,  and 
there  hung  before  me  a Leathern  Case  wherein  were  many  Razors;  and 
they  were  exceeding  sharp.  And  upon  the  Shelf  were  many  pairs  of 
Shears.  And  beside  these  were  certain  pairs  of  Clippers. 

And  I said  to  myself,  Here  also  is  a man  who  needeth  Sharp  In- 
struments in  his  Business,  even  as  I do. 

And  I Spake  to  the  Barber,  and  I said,  Behold,  thou  dost  use  in 
thy  Business  only  the  things  that  are  Sharp. 

And  the  Barber  answered  and  said,  Not  on  thy  Life.  Thou  hast 
another  Think  Coming.  The  Razor  and  the  Shears  and  the  Clippers 
represent  only  a small  part  of  my  Equipment.  I use  Cold  Cream  that 
sootheth;  and  Bay  Rum  that  feeleth  Mighty  Good  after  a shave;  and 
Ointment  that  healeth  wheresoever  the  Razor  goeth  over  a place  where 
the  Skin  hath  any  manner  of  Hurt.  Yea,  and  I have  Lotions,  and  Tal- 
cum Powder,  and  Lots  of  Stuff  to  make  a Fellow  feel  Good.  Otherwise 
must  I go  out  of  Business.  I could  never  Run  this  Shop  with  Sharp 
Instruments  Alone. 

And  I meditated  much  on  what  the  Barber  said  to  me. 

And  I said  to  my  soul,  If  the  Barber  needeth  Healing  Lotions  and 
Emolients  in  his  Business,  much  more  do  I.  I ■will  not  attempt  here- 
after to  run  my  business  with  Sharp  Instruments  only. 

And  I knew  that  God  had  sent  me  to  the  Barber-Shop  that  I might 
learn  this  lesson.  Yea,  and  also  because  I needed  an  Hair  Cut. 

And  I told  it  to  Keturah.  And  Keturah  spake  to  me  and  said,  Tell 
it  to  all  men  who  Preach;  for  among  them  are  Many  Men  who  possess 
as  Little  Wisdom  as  doth  my  lord.  Yea,  and  there  may  be  a few  who 
know  even  less. 


The  CongregationaJist. 


22 


Your  Home  Board 


4.  Your  Home  Mission  Board 

The  Horae  Mission  task  and  Home  Mission  opportunities 
are  greater  than  ever  before.  As  America  means  more 
among  nations  of  the  world  than  in  any  previous  day,  so 
now  the  Christianizing  of  America,  of  American  institutions, 
and  of  all  Americans,  has  a farther  reach  in  human  welfare 
than  at  any  previous  time  in  the  world’s  history.  Every 
Home  Missionary  now  is  at  the  same  time  a world  mission- 
ary. 

Your  Home  Mission  Board,  whether  already  explicitly 
commissioned  thereto  by  direct  word  of  command,  has  upon 
it  an  obligation  to  do  more  than  simply  plant  and  maintain 
churches  of  the  denominational  order;  it  has  now  interde- 
nominational obligations,  as  an  ally  among  allies,  to  pro- 
mote the  Kingdom  of  Christ  of  which  many  churches  are  a 
part ; and  it  has  also  the  altruistic  service  of  rendering  a 
general  benefit  to  mankind,  even  though  no  churches  thereby 
are  established,  but  simply  good  is  done,  like  giving  a cup 
of  cold  water  in  the  name  of  a disciple. 

Your  Home  Mission  Board  needs,  as  probably  it  never 
has  needed  before,  your  support  by  an  intelligent  under- 
standing of  its  plans.  It  has  literature  to  distribute  per- 
taining to  almost  every  one  of  the  kinds  of  work  which  now 
needs  to  be  done  here  in  America.  It  can  tell  you  how  this 
work  is  being  done;  it  can  report  in  concrete  terms  the  suc- 
cesses which  have  already  been  achieved.  You  can  procure 
this  literature  with  this  information  usually  by  simply  ask- 
ing for  it.  Do  you  know  where  your  denominational  Home 
Mission  headquarters  are?  If  so,  write  to-day  and  ask  for 
information. 

The  time  has  passed  when  you  can  be  the  pastor  of  one 
church  alone,  without  reference  to  the  other  churches  of 
your  denomination,  and  to  all  the  far-reaching  plans  of  these 
churches,  organized  in  their  missionary  agencies.  In  a very 
real  sense,  if  you  serve  one  church  at  all  well,  you  must  serve 
all  churches  which  are  in  any  way  related  to  that  church. 
You  are  a Home  Mission  pastor  yourself ; you  cannot  work 
efficiently  and  successfully  unless  you  are  in  touch  with,  and 
in  full  cooperation  with,  the  plans  which  pertain  to  your 


Your  Home  Board 


23 


church  and  to  the  other  churches  of  the  same  great  organi- 
zation. 

You  and  your  church  need  to  support  with  your  contri- 
butions of  money  the  work  of  the  whole  organization.  Does 
your  church  contribute  regularly  to  the  Home  Mission  treas- 
ury? That  treasury  helps  make  Christian  many  parts  of 
America,  helps  bring  your  church,  and  all  the  churches  of 
your  order,  close  to  these  problems  and  tasks  of  national 
reconstruction.  Some  of  these  tasks  are  almost  wholly  be- 
yond the  reach  of  a single  church  working  alone.  But  your 
church,  through  its  contributions,  added  to  the  contribu- 
tions of  other  churches,  can  help  in  all  of  these  enterprises. 
Will  you  not  see,  then,  that  your  church  now,  through  a spe- 
cial offering,  or  by  using  the  regular  channels  of  church 
benevolence,  helps  the  Home  Mission  Board  in  its  work? 

Do  not  forget  the  fellowship  of  prayer.  The  Home  Mis- 
sion Boards  and  their  officials  need  your  prayers  as  much 
as  do  the  President  of  the  United  States  and  the  members 
of  his  cabinet,  and  the  heads  of  departments.  Did  you  per- 
mit General  Foch,  and  General  Haig,  and  General  Pershing 
to  lead  in  the  world’s  great  battles  for  liberty  and  righteous- 
ness without  sustaining  them  almost  daily  with  your  prayers? 
You  certainly  will  not  let  your  congregation  forget  to  pray 
for  the  Home  Mission  cause  and  the  Home  Mission  workers 
now  in  their  great  tasks  of  national  and  of  world  recon- 
struction. 

There  are  some  missionaries  in  the  home  field  as  much 
needing  the  support  of  your  prayers  and  the  prayers  of 
your  congregation  as  have  the  soldiers  in  the  trenches  or  the 
sailor  lads  on  the  sea.  There  are  heroes  carrying  the  cross 
of  Christ  in  the  missionary  fields  of  America  who  merit  the 
recognition  and  the  praise  of  men  as  much  as  do  those  who 
have  been  cited  before  the  nations  for  conspicuous  bravery 
in  battle.  Some  of  these  missionary  heroes  will  never  be 
known  to  men.  About  others  of  them  you  may  read  in  the 
literature  of  your  own  denomination,  if  you  will  apply  to 
your  Home  Mission  Board. 

Let  the  fine  team  work  of  an  efficient  church  be  exemplified 
by  you  and  your  people  as  never  before. 


24 


Board  Addresses 


5.  Where  is  Your  Home  Board ? 


Baptist 

AMERICAN  BAPTIST  HOME  MISSION  SOCIETY, 
23  East  26th  Street,  New  York  City. 

AMERICAN  BAPTIST  PUBLICATION  SOCIETY, 
1701  Chestnut  Street,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

NATIONAL  BAPTIST  CONVENTION, 

Little  Rock,  Ark. 


Christian  Church 

HOME  MISSION  BOARD  OF  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHURCH, 
C.  P.  A.  Building,  Dayton,  Ohio 


Congregational 

AMERICAN  MISSIONARY  ASSOCIATION, 

287  Fourth  Avenue,  New  York  City. 
CONGREGATIONAL  HOME  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY, 
287  Fourth  Avenue,  New  York  City. 
CONGREGATIONAL  SUNDAY  SCHOOL  EXTENSION 
SOCIETY, 

287  Fourth  Avenue,  New  York  City. 
CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH  BUILDING  SOCIETY, 
287  Fourth  Avenue,  New  York  City. 


Disciples 

AMERICAN  CHRISTIAN  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY, 
Carew  Building,  Cincinnati,  Ohio 
BOARD  OF  CHURCH  EXTENSION,  AMERICAN 
CHRISTIAN  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY, 

603  New  England  Building,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 


Evangelical  Association 

MISSIONARY  SOCIETY  OF  THE  EVANGELICAL 
ASSOCIATION, 

1903  Woodland  Avenue,  Cleveland,  Ohio 


Friends 

ASSOCIATED  EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE  OF  FRIENDS 
ON  INDIAN  AFFAIRS, 

119  South  4th  Street,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

BOARD  OF  HOME  MISSIONS  OF  THE  FIVE  YEARS 
MEETING  OF  FRIENDS  IN  AMERICA, 

620  South  West  A Street,  Richmond,  Indiana. 


Board  Addresses 


25 


Lutheran 

BOARD  OF  HOME  MISSIONS  AND  CHURCH  EXTENSION 
IN  THE  UNITED  LUTHERAN  CHURCH  IN  AMERICA, 
York,  Pa. 


Methodist 

BOARD  OF  HOME  MISSIONS  AND  CHURCH  EXTENSION, 
METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 

1701  Arch  Street,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

BOARD  OF  MISSIONS,  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 
SOUTH, 

810  Broadway,  Nashville,  Tenn. 

BOARD  OF  CHURCH  EXTENSION,  METHODIST 
EPISCOPAL  CHURCH,  SOUTH, 

1115  Fourth  Avenue,  Louisville,  Ky. 

GENERAL  MISSIONARY  BOARD  OF  THE  FREE 
METHODIST  CHURCH  IN  NORTH  AMERICA, 

1132  Washington  Boulevard,  Chicago,  111. 

BOARD  OF  HOME  MISSIONS,  METHODIST  PROTESTANT 
CHURCH, 

507  Pittsburgh  Life  Building,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

MISSIONARY  SOCIETY  OF  THE  METHODIST  CHURCH, 
CANADA, 

299  Queen  Street  West,  Toronto,  Ontario. 


Moravian 

BOARD  OF  CHURCH  EXTENSION,  AMERICAN 
MORAVIAN  CHURCH, 

Bethlehem,  Pa. 

COUNTRY  CHURCH  COMMISSION  OF  THE  MORAVIAN 
CHURCH, 

P.  O.  Box  294,  New  Dorp,  Staten  Island,  New  York. 


Presbyterian 

BOARD  OF  HOME  MISSIONS,  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 
IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 

156  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York  City. 

BOARD  OF  THE  CHURCH  ERECTION  FUND  OF  THE 
GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 

156  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York  City. 

BOARD  OF  PUBLICATION  AND  SABBATH  SCHOOL 
WORK,  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH,  IN  U.  S.  A., 
Witherspoon  Building,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE  OF  HOME  MISSIONS, 

PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES, 
1522  Hurt  Building,  Atlanta,  Georgia. 

EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE  OF  PUBLICATION, 

PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES, 
6-8  North  Sixth  Street,  Richmond,  Va. 


26 


Board  Addresses 


BOARD  OF  HOME  MISSIONS,  UNITED  PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH  OF  NORTH  AMERICA, 

209  Ninth  Street,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

BOARD  OF  CHURCH  EXTENSION  OF  THE  UNITED 
PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  OF  NORTH  AMERICA, 

209  Ninth  Street,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

BOARD  OF  FREEDMEN’S  MISSIONS  OF  UNITED 
PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  NORTH  AMERICA, 

608  Publication  Building,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

Protestant  Episcopal 

DOMESTIC  AND  FOREIGN  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY  OF 
THE  PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  IN  THE 
UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 

281  Fourth  Avenue,  New  York  City. 


Reformed 

BOARD  OF  DOMESTIC  MISSIONS  OF  THE  REFORMED 
CHURCH  IN  AMERICA, 

25  East  22nd  Street,  New  York  City. 

BOARD  OF  HOME  MISSIONS,  REFORMED  CHURCH  IN 
THE  UNITED  STATES, 

15th  and  Race  Streets,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

BOARD  OF  HEATHEN  MISSIONS  OF  THE  CHRISTIAN 
REFORMED  CHURCH, 

2050  Francis  Avenue,  S.  E.,  Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 


United  Brethren 

HOME  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY,  UNITED  BRETHREN  IN 
CHRIST, 

412-414  Otterbein  Press  Building,  Dayton,  Ohio. 

CHURCH  ERECTION  SOCIETY,  UNITED  BRETHREN  IN 
CHRIST, 

306-307  Otterbein  Press  Building,  Dayton,  Ohio. 


Your  Board  will  give  you  information.  It  can  help  you.  "You  can 
help  it. 

There  is  scarcely  a finer  service  just  now,  for  the  blessing  of  the 
national  life  and  for  the  welfare  of  mankind,  than  full  cooperation  with 
your  Home  Mission  Board,  or  Boards,  in  these  great  tasks  of  National 
Reconstruction  on  the  Christian  basis. 


Home  Mission  Week 


27 


HOME  MISSION  WEEK 

November  16—23,  1919 


For  several  years  the  Home  Missions  Council,  which 
includes  in  its  membership  thirty-seven  different  home  mis- 
sion bodies,  representing  twenty-three  denominations,  and 
the  Council  of  Women  for  Home  Missions,  including  in  its 
membership,  as  constituent  and  corresponding  boards,  sev- 
enteen organizations  of  women,  have  designated  a week  in 
November,  known  as  Home  Mission  Week,  and  have  issued 
various  kinds  of  helps  for  its  observance. 

This  year  the  week  falls  between  November  16  and  23, 
including  two  Sundays. 

The  theme  of  the  week  will  be 

“The  Soul  of  Democracy, 

Christian  Service,  Personal  and  Social.” 

A Bulletin  for  Pastors  will  be  issued  by  the  Home  Mis- 
sions Council,  and  a pamphlet  of  programs  and  suggestions 
for  women’s  societies  will  be  issued  by  the  Council  of  Wom- 
en for  Home  Missions. 


HOME  MISSIONS  COUNCIL 


The  Evangelical  Denominations  Through  Their 
National  Boards  and  Societies 


OFFICERS 


CHARLES  L.  THOMPSON,  D.D.,  LL 
CHARLES  E.  BURTON,  D.D. 

S.  LESLIE  MORRIS.  D.D. 

CHARLES  A.  BROOKS,  D.D. 

RALPH  WELLES  KEELER,  D.D. 

WILLIAM  T.  DEMAREST  . 

ALFRED  WILLIAMS  ANTHONY.  D.D.,  LL..  D.  . 

Executive  Secretary 


D.  . President 
First  Vice-President 
Second  Vice-President 
Third  Vice-President 
Recording  Secretary 
. . Treasurer 


OFFICE 

PRESBYTERIAN  BUILDING 
156  Fifth  Avenue 
New  York 


